Resume Writer
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- Feb 7, 2004
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Hi Everyone,
Here are some general tips that I thought you might find helpful. Most of it is pretty much common sense, but it provides a review for those who may not have interviewed in some time.
Hope this is helpful to everyone!
Kathy
TIPS FOR ACING THE EMPLOYMENT INTERVIEW
1. Relax. Yes, relax. The employment interview is a two way street. It is just a meeting between you and the employer to find out about the position and discuss how you can fill the need.
2. Don't memorize canned responses. Start by building rapport with the interviewer. Quickly look around the room and possibly find something you might share an interest in…such as pictures of a certain artist, a kind of furniture, just small talk…to break the ice perhaps.
3. Dress suitably for the position. Determine the company's attire and meet it. If their dress is business casual, you still need to be dressed in business professional attire. Ensure your fingernails are clean and put a bit of fragrance-free lotion on the hands. I recommend not wearing any cologne in case the interviewer has allergies. A clean fresh scent is better than cologne. Get a hair cut and color if necessary.
4. Polish your shoes; both men and women!
5. Wear limited jewelry.
6. Call the day or morning before the interview to confirm your appointment.
7. Make sure you know where you are going when you set out for the interview. Know the route you are going to take and how long it takes you to get there in case of traffic problems. Arrive in plenty of time, but not too early—10 minutes is plenty of time. That will give you time to go to the restroom or give you time to review your questions.
8. This one will depend on which gender you are—while in the restroom, check your hair, earrings, necklace, teeth, rings, collar, slip, skirt… for men check your hair, tie, collar, zipper on the pants, teeth, buttons on the shirt, and shoes.
9. Make a good impression on the secretary, administrative assistant or receptionist…and anyone else you come in contact with.
10. Be conscious of your body language. Mimic your interviewer. Sit up. Be confident when walking.
11. Have a firm, not bone-crushing handshake…even if the interviewer is a woman. I have yet to meet a woman who likes a man to shake her hand like a fish. She is a professional, too. SMILE!
12. Eye contact is most powerful. Keep your eye on the interviewer, but don't make them uncomfortable.
13. While interviewing, lean forward toward the interviewer. Show interest in what they are saying. Do not lean back.
14. Be prepared for uncomfortable questions. Most interviewers ask typical questions. If you know the typical questions interviewers ask, and there are some you are uncomfortable with, have your responses ready. Again, don't dwell on these, but be prepared.
15. Sell you! Show how you can solve a problem that comes up, increase productivity, or reduce costs. If you are already trained in certain subjects relevant to the position, state that you are and that they would not have to train you in that area.
16. Refer to your résumé. Your résumé got you the interview; feel free to refer to it, especially if you are feeling a bit uncomfortable. Look at it yourself, especially the qualifications sections if you get tongue-tied.
17. Listen to what the interviewer says and remember the information they seem to dwell on. You will use this information later.
18. Do not bring up salary, unless the interviewer brings up the salary. Once it is determined you are the candidate for the job, then negotiate your salary.
19. Practice and rehearse your answers to the common interview questions. Don't make them a canned response, but a sincere response.
20. Always thank the interviewer for their time when leaving the interview. Thank the receptionist and the administrative assistant. Make an impression.
21. When you get back to your car, allow 15-20 minutes to jot down additional notes and to fill in the notes you took during the interview.
22. If you really want the job, send a powerful thank you letter within 24 hours of your interview. A well-written thank you letter could really set you apart—especially if they are really having a difficult time deciding between two or three candidates. If written effectively, it can make the difference between getting the job and not.
Here are some general tips that I thought you might find helpful. Most of it is pretty much common sense, but it provides a review for those who may not have interviewed in some time.
Hope this is helpful to everyone!
Kathy
TIPS FOR ACING THE EMPLOYMENT INTERVIEW
1. Relax. Yes, relax. The employment interview is a two way street. It is just a meeting between you and the employer to find out about the position and discuss how you can fill the need.
2. Don't memorize canned responses. Start by building rapport with the interviewer. Quickly look around the room and possibly find something you might share an interest in…such as pictures of a certain artist, a kind of furniture, just small talk…to break the ice perhaps.
3. Dress suitably for the position. Determine the company's attire and meet it. If their dress is business casual, you still need to be dressed in business professional attire. Ensure your fingernails are clean and put a bit of fragrance-free lotion on the hands. I recommend not wearing any cologne in case the interviewer has allergies. A clean fresh scent is better than cologne. Get a hair cut and color if necessary.
4. Polish your shoes; both men and women!
5. Wear limited jewelry.
6. Call the day or morning before the interview to confirm your appointment.
7. Make sure you know where you are going when you set out for the interview. Know the route you are going to take and how long it takes you to get there in case of traffic problems. Arrive in plenty of time, but not too early—10 minutes is plenty of time. That will give you time to go to the restroom or give you time to review your questions.
8. This one will depend on which gender you are—while in the restroom, check your hair, earrings, necklace, teeth, rings, collar, slip, skirt… for men check your hair, tie, collar, zipper on the pants, teeth, buttons on the shirt, and shoes.
9. Make a good impression on the secretary, administrative assistant or receptionist…and anyone else you come in contact with.
10. Be conscious of your body language. Mimic your interviewer. Sit up. Be confident when walking.
11. Have a firm, not bone-crushing handshake…even if the interviewer is a woman. I have yet to meet a woman who likes a man to shake her hand like a fish. She is a professional, too. SMILE!
12. Eye contact is most powerful. Keep your eye on the interviewer, but don't make them uncomfortable.
13. While interviewing, lean forward toward the interviewer. Show interest in what they are saying. Do not lean back.
14. Be prepared for uncomfortable questions. Most interviewers ask typical questions. If you know the typical questions interviewers ask, and there are some you are uncomfortable with, have your responses ready. Again, don't dwell on these, but be prepared.
15. Sell you! Show how you can solve a problem that comes up, increase productivity, or reduce costs. If you are already trained in certain subjects relevant to the position, state that you are and that they would not have to train you in that area.
16. Refer to your résumé. Your résumé got you the interview; feel free to refer to it, especially if you are feeling a bit uncomfortable. Look at it yourself, especially the qualifications sections if you get tongue-tied.
17. Listen to what the interviewer says and remember the information they seem to dwell on. You will use this information later.
18. Do not bring up salary, unless the interviewer brings up the salary. Once it is determined you are the candidate for the job, then negotiate your salary.
19. Practice and rehearse your answers to the common interview questions. Don't make them a canned response, but a sincere response.
20. Always thank the interviewer for their time when leaving the interview. Thank the receptionist and the administrative assistant. Make an impression.
21. When you get back to your car, allow 15-20 minutes to jot down additional notes and to fill in the notes you took during the interview.
22. If you really want the job, send a powerful thank you letter within 24 hours of your interview. A well-written thank you letter could really set you apart—especially if they are really having a difficult time deciding between two or three candidates. If written effectively, it can make the difference between getting the job and not.